Not a happy rider.... Sometimes (Aprilia Habana 125)

Member Name: jubbi

Product:	Aprilia Habana 125
Date:	15/12/03 (2184 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Style, comfortable to ride, great riding position

Disadvantages: Many parts must be imported from italy, unreliable (at least for my needs), sluggish on main roads

I got an Habana custom 125 in july 2002, and 7 miles after first riding, the engine died. 3 weeks in the dealers hands (the shape of things to come). Since then, it has been claim after claim on the warrenty. 4 speedo cables, 3 mud guards, 5 spark plugs and a lot of train tickets later, I'm currently without a bike again. This time it went in for new tyres and brake shoes/pads. Simple job until they find a crack in the casing of the gear box. 3 weeks later and aprilia have yet to send this small part from italy. The fact that if this were a japanese bike it would take hours rather than weeks and months for repairs is very annoying.

When this bike runs, it's a dream. But for me it is very rare that it does. The riding position feels more like a cruising bike than a scooter, with wide handlebars and the massive seat, I can ride it for ages and not have to walk like a cowboy. One recomendation is that you get the rear tyre changed regularly, as this bike handles like a dream even on tight corners with a lot of tread, but feels like a bar of soap when worn past 3,000 miles. As with most bikes, you'll use two rears to one front tyre on this bike. Drum brake on the rear has lasted nearly a year and the front hydrolic disk brake on the front is sharp and strong. Expect to change your front brake pads at the same time as your rear tyre. A tank costs no more than £5 and runs for 120 miles without flashing the fuel low light. I love this bike when it works, but I cant help but feel a bit cheated by aprilia over parts and the fact that it was so poorly built. From what I gather, my bike is an exception rather than a rule and I can imagine most people loving this bike.

I'll be buying a real bike next, something with parts that dont have to be flown from italy. Maybe a suzuki sv650s. :D

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